- Skin cancer is a problem in countries like Switzerland where the population is aging.
- In addition to that, outdoor activities in the mountains (going for walks, skiing…) mean that sunexposure tend to be higher (There is less ozone higher up to filter ultraviolet light (UV) exposure).
- In practice, there are three common skin cancers which present often to the dermatologist (skin doctor):
- Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) : The result of cumulative light exposure
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) : The result of cumulative light exposure. They can be preceeded by precancerous skin growths called Actinic Keratosis (AK).
- Malignant Melanoma: They are the result of short bursts of light exposure (sunseeking holidays) and have a high incidence in Switzerland, Australia and New Zealand. They can arise from normal skin or from a mole (Mole checks).
- With age and sunlight, numerous skin problems may arise, and it may be a reasonable option to show examine the skin to avoid missing the above-mentioned.
- Treatment options for cancerous and precancerous growths include cryotherapy and/or removal + microscopical examination (histology)
- To prevent skin cancers and skin aging, read more about Sunprotection.
Information on skin cancers
Information on actinic keratosis
Information on age-related skin changes